The hottest Identity Substack posts right now

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Should She Apologize to Her Young Staff for Taking Off Her Clothes, Running Around Naked and Enjoying the Hell Out of Herself????

Ask E. Jean • 1572 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Ethics Society Identity
  1. A woman is questioning whether she should apologize to her young staff for enjoying herself while running around naked in a charity event.
  2. She is contemplating setting a positive example for her female staff by either embracing her actions or apologizing for them.
  3. The woman is having a dilemma in balancing empowerment and setting a good example for young women while facing public scrutiny for her actions.

The self(ie)

The Free Mind • 1572 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Identity
  1. Social media is turning people into everyday propagandists.
  2. Filters on apps can drastically alter people's perceptions of themselves.
  3. Consider the impact of social media and filters on self-image.

We Contain Multitudes

Seven Senses • 1218 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Music Hobbies Identity
  1. Pursuing hobbies is important for self-discovery and can reveal hidden talents and interests. It's a way to connect with ourselves beyond our work.
  2. Many of us fear exploring our diverse interests because we're worried about judgment or not fitting into a certain image. But embracing our contradictions can lead to growth and inspiration.
  3. Engaging in creative activities or hobbies can enhance our artistic expression and help us understand the world better, as seen in the lives of famous creators like Nabokov, Murakami, and Dickinson.

Creating insular information bubbles

Not On Your Team, But Always Fair • 943 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Media Migration Identity Progressivism Nationalism
  1. Narratives are about making meaning, not just facts, and protecting them from facts is crucial for them to continue to make meaning.
  2. Dysfunctional policy responses can suppress feedback and drive mainstream media narratives that may lack accountability.
  3. Internationalisation can reduce accountability in policy-making and contribute to undermining democratic systems across large populations.

Home, Seek Home

Seven Senses • 979 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Identity Community Art Travel Personal Growth
  1. Home can mean many things, like where we were born, grew up, or where we currently live. It can feel confusing and different for everyone.
  2. Finding home is often more about the connections we build with people and the experiences we share than a physical address.
  3. The search for home may never fully end, and it's a natural feeling for many. It's about creating a sense of belonging wherever we go.

Due North

Black Music and Black Muses • 727 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Music Identity Race Family Performance
  1. Children of famous parents like North West and Blue Ivy inherit both spectacle and talent, performing what they are given.
  2. Grooming and understanding in relationships can hold complexities, influenced by societal norms and individual experiences.
  3. Celebrities like Michael Jackson faced grooming, identity struggles, and the pressures of performance throughout their lives.

These are the good ol’ days

Austin Kleon • 2158 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Nostalgia Memory Identity History Art
  1. Nostalgia can bring comfort and happiness, reminding us of good times from the past. But it can also distort how we see things now and make us forget about the present.
  2. While nostalgia can be a way to escape reality, a little bit of it can help us reconnect with ourselves and appreciate who we are now.
  3. We should cherish our current moments because they will turn into nostalgia one day. It's important to enjoy life and make memories while we still can.

"People smile and tell me I'm the lucky one"

Disaffected Newsletter • 1518 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Art Music Society Nostalgia Identity
  1. People feel nostalgic for the past and believe we've lost important values like family and community. The modern world seems to ignore what came before.
  2. There's a sense that music today lacks the beauty and melody of earlier times. Many songs now are more about rhythm and spoken word than actual singing.
  3. Reflecting on the past can help us remember loved ones and their struggles. There’s hope in seeing how family can learn from past mistakes and create better futures.

Who is your nemesis?

Men Yell at Me • 204 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Music Entertainment Social Commentary Art Identity
  1. Everyone has an enemy or something they dislike strongly, which can be a source of motivation. It’s normal to have feelings of rivalry or frustration towards certain people or situations.
  2. Yelling or expressing frustration, like in a big stadium, can be a powerful way to release emotions and bond with others. It’s almost like a communal way of dealing with anger.
  3. Reflecting on who or what your enemy is can help you better understand your own feelings and drive. Identifying your 'nemesis' can give you a clearer perspective on challenges you face.

Quitting my job to be a different person

Kenny’s Sub • 399 implied HN points • 08 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Identity Lifestyle Work Family Personal Growth
  1. Quitting a job doesn't automatically change who you are. It can lead to unexpected challenges and chaos instead of a smooth transformation.
  2. Having too much freedom can create a chaotic lifestyle. It's easy to let work take over and ignore other important parts of life like relationships and self-care.
  3. Facing pivotal moments in life requires intentional planning and prioritization. It's crucial to balance work with family and self-care to live a more fulfilling life.

Pride of the Elites: Political Correctness, Identity Politics and Class War

rebelwisdom • 1336 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Identity Social Dynamics Systemic Issues Social justice Power Dynamics
  1. The culture wars of today have historical roots in elite-overproduction and popular immiseration
  2. Social justice movements have become a simulated religion for the elite, detached from true systemic change
  3. To move beyond the current cultural strife, a new approach based on complexity, compassion, and genuine systemic change is needed

Sobering morning thoughts

Disaffected Newsletter • 1638 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Society Philosophy Identity Behavior Authority
  1. Many people feel unhappy with how society just goes along with everything rather than questioning it. This can be really scary.
  2. There's a lot of frustration towards people who don't stand up against unfair authority. This lack of resistance leads to feelings of despair.
  3. The writer feels that many people, especially men, are too passive and afraid to challenge societal expectations. This makes them disappointed and angry.

Who did you expect to be?

Disaffected Newsletter • 1418 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Identity Self-reflection Personal Growth Life choices
  1. Many people find they are different from who they thought they would be when they grew up. It's common to reflect on this as we age.
  2. Mornings can bring a fresh perspective and clarity about our lives and choices. Sometimes, thoughts come to us clearly before we get distracted.
  3. It can be surprising to realize we might have become the person we would have previously judged or disliked. This can lead to interesting self-reflection.

Nectar Card

Vittles • 241 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Migration Identity Emotions Community Food
  1. Supermarkets can feel different depending on where you are. In Belfast, they felt warm and friendly, while in London, they sometimes feel cold and uninviting.
  2. Running into familiar accents can remind you of home and bring up emotions you didn’t expect. This can happen anywhere, even in a supermarket.
  3. Feeling disconnected from friends and home can lead to moments of vulnerability. Sometimes, small encounters can make you reflect on your experiences and relationships.

Ghosts in the Hallway: Liminal Spaces As Mirrors of Modern Alienation

antoniomelonio • 82 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Nostalgia Alienation Capitalism Identity Community
  1. Liminal spaces, like empty malls or silent hallways, make us feel a deep sense of loneliness and nostalgia. They reflect how we often feel lost and disconnected in modern life.
  2. Many people are drawn to images of these spaces online because they remind us of a simpler time. We yearn for connection and purpose in a world that feels increasingly empty and overwhelming.
  3. These places, while haunting, can also inspire us to rethink our priorities. They might push us to seek genuine community and meaning beyond the surface of consumer culture.

New Beginnings

Splattern • 79 implied HN points • 23 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Spirituality Identity Resilience Community Personal Growth
  1. It's important to keep trying even when things get tough. Just like running after a break, persistence makes the journey worthwhile.
  2. Community support can really help us through hard times. Finding caring people can encourage us to explore our feelings about faith and identity.
  3. Reflecting on past experiences, like family and culture, can be healing. It reminds us of our roots and the things we cherish, even when faced with conflicts.

The NPC Question 4: I Have No Mind and I Must Think

Egg Report • 1238 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Social media Technology Behavior Communication Identity
  1. The concept of 'NPC' explores a reported lack of internal monologue and the impact of social media on cognition and thinking processes.
  2. Engaging in social media performances like recording oneself and seeking validation may lead to weakening internal reflection and dependence on external validation.
  3. The use of smartphones and social media can contribute to a sense of brain damage, hindering genuine self-expression and promoting a cycle of self-performance and externalized thinking.

Comedy and Culture Wars: Why Laughter is the Antidote to Polarisation

rebelwisdom • 648 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Comedy Identity Social Issues Activism Art
  1. Humor can help shift polarisation in culture by allowing us to laugh at ourselves and break free from the seriousness of current societal tensions.
  2. Comedy has historically faced censorship and backlash, but the rise of social media has changed how outrage is expressed and impacts comedy.
  3. Laughter can lead to cognitive flexibility, social bonding, and breaking us free from rigid frames of thought, making comedy a powerful tool for cultural change.

My Birthday Toast to my Palestinian Arabic Teacher

The Chris Hedges Report • 238 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Language Education Art Social Issues Identity
  1. The Arabic teacher, Ruba, uses honesty and humor to engage her students, making learning fun and memorable.
  2. Both the teacher and student share a deep emotional connection, often supporting each other through hard times, especially regarding difficult current events.
  3. The classes become a form of therapy and resilience, reminding them that they must continue learning and resisting despite the challenges they face.

Blue Eyes, Red Heart

Letters from Fiddler's Greene • 1139 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ideology Identity Leadership Society Culture
  1. Ancient wisdom can be relevant in modern contexts, like in the movie 'The Warriors' where gangs had the power to change but were divided.
  2. Creating a new ruling class requires a common spirit of dissatisfaction and the ability to lead authentically.
  3. To move forward, there needs to be a synthesis of the best aspects from opposing ideologies and a cultivation of true nobility in leadership.

The crumbling pillars of society

The Free Mind • 569 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Identity Antisemitism
  1. The 'Pride Pillar' at London Bridge railway station showcases confusion with its array of flags about sexual identity.
  2. Some public figures fail to address important issues like the Holocaust adequately, revealing bad pillars in society.
  3. Society is facing challenges with identity politics and the need for clear communication and genuine understanding.